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BMO HARRIS BANK FINANCIAL TIP OF THE WEEK: HOMEOWNERS SHOULD PREPARE FOR UNEXPECTED HOME REPAIRS

CHICAGO (July 2, 2013) – As part of BMO Harris Bank's ongoing commitment to financial literacy and Making Money Make Sense, BMO Harris is providing weekly financial tips. This week's tips remind homeowners to prepare for unexpected home repairs.

One of the most challenging aspects of home ownership is the unexpected added costs. When calculating monthly expenses to maintain a home, it's important to include not only everyday costs such as mortgage payments, utilities and property taxes, but also to factor in possible home repair expenses. Some of the most common home repa irs are done on plumbing fixtures, patios, fences and driveways, heating and air conditioning systems, and painting the interior or exterior of your home.

Keeping your home in good working order can add value to a home; however, it's crucial that homeowners plan ahead for costs associated with unexpected repairs. Contributing small amounts regularly to an emergency fund for maintenance and repairs can go a long way in preparing for unforeseen expenses.

By adding in the cost of a reserve fund to the monthly household budget, homeowners can prevent a financial blow from unplanned additional costs.

BMO Harris Bank offers the following financial tips to homeowners looking to make home repairs:

• Understand how a renovation will impact the value of your home by researching which renovations create increased value and are popular selling features.
• Think long term when making financial decisions – whether you are using savings or borrowing to renovate, take the time to meet with a financial expert to ensure your renovation meets your long term financial objectives.
• Expect the unexpected – be financially prepared for the unexpected such as a leaky roof, broken pipe or other course corrections that may occur during the project.
• Get renovation quotes in writing and understand what guarantees they provide – for example, if the cost of the plumbing in your renovation is more work than expected, will the quote go up?

Although no one has a crystal ball to foresee what repairs you may encounter during the time you own your home, financially preparing for the unexpected is a smart move.

To help people manage their money and avoid the most common financial pitfalls, visit BMO Harris Bank's informational website – Helpful Steps at www.bmoharris.com/helpfulsteps.

About BMO Harris Bank
BMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal banki ng products and solutions through over 600 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. For more information about BMO Harris Bank, go to the company fact sheet. Deposit and loan products and services provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank^SM is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with approximately 1,600 branches, and $555 billion in assets (as of April 30, 2013).